HOPE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MINUTES
September 17, 2024
President Juanita Hunt called the meeting to order at 6:40 PM. Thirteen members were present: Marie Berry, Margaret Morse, Juanita Hunt, Gwen Brodis, Catherine Pease, Jim DellaPenna, Cindy DellaPenna, Bunny Gleason, Mary Ireland, Bill Jones, Judith Jones, Linda Hillgrove, and Jan Kelsey.
A motion to accept the Secretary's report for our last meeting on July 16, 2024, was seconded and approved. There was a motion to accept the Treasurer's report for August, provided by Gwen, the motion was seconded and approved. There was a discussion regarding Interstate Septic fees; they came out twice when no one was available to meet them and charged for their services - Juanita had instructed them to contact her before coming to the house. This led to Juanita's discussion of the sequence of septic system events over the last two months:
On July 19th, Marie discovered the drains at the home were not working - Interstate Septic was called but they arrived sometime the following week when no one was present. On Saturday, July 20th, during the Town's, Hope Day celebration, the Historical Society was open and had a steady stream of visitors; however, everyone was advised the bathroom facilities were off-limits. In the meantime, Alex Ludwig was contacted, he had worked on the septic system in the past. Alex came on Sunday, working in the extreme heat to uncover the drain from the house to the septic tank and uncover the tank. His digging exposed the cause of the failed system - roots from trees. The entire system needed to be replaced.
While all of this work was being done, Roger Hunt shut off the electrical breaker to the water pump. When the breaker was switched back on, it began repeatedly tripping. Tylor Pearse, a Hope electrician, discovered the electrical box had two types of wire and that the older BX wire was arcing - HHS was fortunate that a new GFI breaker had been installed otherwise there could have been a devastating fire. The bottom line, per Tylor Pearse, is that BX wiring should be replaced everywhere it is located in the house, which is basically in the old section of the house.
The Historical Society did not open on Friday, July 26th, since there were no restroom facilities. The following week Cleanwoods Portable Toilets of Hope, Maine, owner David Pike, delivered a port-a-potty free of charge, so we could continue our weekly open house during the summer. Late July into August, Soil scientist, Ed Green, designed a new septic system for HHS for free. Alex Ludwig drilled the foundation to enable the placement of the new discharge pipe from the house to the new tank, and Keven Chapin, Hatchet Mountain Plumbing, installed the new pipe professionally cementing the hole and went above and beyond hauling away the debris from the drilling. Alex finished the installation of the new system, bringing in soil, leveling it off the leach bed, and seeding the whole. All of these people and businesses except for Interstate Septic, are from Hope; their time, much volunteered free, is very much appreciated.
Juanita oversaw the above activities - thank you.
On to new business:
Marie informed us that Hope Orchard's Fall Festival will be October 13th from 10 AM to 4 PM - HHS will have a table selling apple pie by the slice, raffle tickets, and apple motif pot holders made by Margaret Morse. She solicited volunteers to cover the table but still needs volunteers to make apple pies.
Marie, when questioned about sales during Hope Days, stated she took in $42 in raffle tickets and $113 in sales of misc. items. She had informed some of us earlier, that she was disappointed and hopefully in another year, (this was the first year for Hope Days), the booths would be placed in a less scattered format.
Catherine Pease and Marie attended Washington Historical's meeting of local historical societies several weeks ago which according to Catherine was very upbeat. Catherine described several activities that Washington has successfully promoted such as bringing in 6th graders to the Historical Society and promoting hands-on activities for the kids; a calendar; and a newsletter. She and Marie were impressed with the layout of the two buildings that Washington maintains.
On Sept. 14th Marie took a flea market table at Union Fairgrounds - she took in $124 on the raffle basket. With donations, the raffle basket has cost HHS only $39 and so far, $370 has been taken in. Let's push for more sales, we have until the end of the day on Election Day, November 5th to solicit more sales.
Next month, October 15th, is our annual potluck supper night at the Firehouse. In November, we have the postponed Maine Military Museum speaker, Peter Ogden lined up.
Gwen informed us of recent donations from the Cornelia Van Der Ziel Kleene Homestead and Bunny informed us of donations made by Charles Richardson, son of Viola (Brownell) Richardson from her estate, including an original Shirley Temple doll in a handsome wooden case. Willis Keene has sent a small album of pictures taken by his father years ago of Hope buildings. The garage is looking more and more like a museum, very nicely organized with wall displays, Juanita and Roger, for the shelving, great job! Juanita is looking for a wooden level to complement the carpenter tools that are on display. Thank you to all.
There was a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 PM. The motion was second, everyone was in approval.
Bunny Gleason introduced our speaker for the evening, auctioneer, Bruce Gamage, her 1st cousin.
Bruce discussed the changes he has seen in the auctioneering business since he began in the 1970's. He got his start knocking on doors and attending "Auction" school. The popular items back then hold no interest to today's younger generation. Downsizing and unaffordable housing for the younger generation has also affected the auction market; buyers want small items - sterling silver, guns, signs, and "outsider art" defined as art made by self-taught individuals; braided rugs, large furniture, and grandma's china doesn't sell. He provided additional examples and answered questions - interesting talk and appreciated.
We ended the evening with refreshments - my apologies for not inquiring who provided them, but thank you.
Respectively submitted,
Cindy DellaPenna, Secretary
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